Sad Report: National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed that six people have died following a powerful and destructive tornado that struck the Fargo, North Dakota area on Friday evening

The National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed that six people have died following a powerful and destructive tornado that struck the Fargo, North Dakota area on Friday evening

The National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed that six people have died following a powerful and destructive tornado that struck the Fargo, North Dakota area on Friday evening. The tornado, classified as a large and dangerous system, produced estimated peak winds of 130 miles per hour and tore through multiple communities, leaving behind a trail of devastation.

According to NWS officials, the tornado touched down southwest of Fargo near Leonard and tracked northeast through Kindred, Horace, and into the Warren area along Interstate 29. The storm intensified rapidly, creating a broad damage path and leading to widespread power outages, property destruction, and blocked roadways. Emergency services from Cass County and surrounding areas responded quickly, but the scale of the disaster has overwhelmed local resources.

Meteorologists with the NWS described the tornado as a high-end EF2, potentially bordering on EF3 intensity, based on preliminary damage surveys. The 130 mph winds were strong enough to rip roofs off homes, flip vehicles, and uproot trees. Drone footage and eyewitness accounts show entire neighborhoods damaged, with some homes flattened and farmsteads completely leveled.

Cass County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that the six fatalities occurred in different locations across the storm’s path. Three of the victims were found in a rural area near Kindred, where a family farmhouse was destroyed. Another two were confirmed dead in Horace, where a mobile home park suffered a direct hit. The sixth fatality was reported near Warren, where a motorist was caught in the storm on I-29 and struck by debris.

In addition to the confirmed deaths, at least two dozen people have been injured, some critically. Local hospitals have reported a surge in emergency cases, and rescue crews are continuing to search damaged buildings for survivors.

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum issued a state of emergency late Friday night, urging residents to stay off roads and follow guidance from emergency management officials. “This is a tragic day for our state,” the governor said in a press conference. “Our hearts go out to the families who lost loved ones, and we are mobilizing all available resources to support those affected.”

Shelters have been set up in Fargo and surrounding towns to house displaced residents, and donations of food, clothing, and other essentials are being coordinated by local nonprofits and faith-based groups.

Meteorologists warn that the threat of severe weather is not over, with additional storms possible in the coming days. The NWS is urging residents to remain alert and monitor weather updates as conditions remain volatile.

This tornado marks one of the deadliest to hit North Dakota in recent years and serves as a grim reminder of the power of nature. As recovery efforts begin, the community is rallying together to provide support and aid to those who lost everything in the storm.